Memories

Our kids spent a couple of weeks most summers of their childhood with G’ma Mary and G’pa Dan in Columbus--catching snakes and frogs with Meg and Chris, chasing ducks at Cooper Creek, touring all the houses in construction identifying plumbing and electric hook-ups, and playing Marco Polo in all the neighbors’ swimming pools.

G’ma’s house on Bondale Drive, the homestead of all these memories, burned down about 2 years ago, including her collection of 300 Santa Clauses which graced and ruled every square inch of surface space both high and low.

First order of business was a return visit to the reconstructed house on Bondale and a trip to Cooper Creek. 25 years ago the woods was so dense between G’ma’s house and Cooper Creek the kids had to tie strips of cloth to the trees to find their way home. Chiggers, Poison Ivy and the nastier cousin, Poison Oak were given hazards well worth the treasures of tadpoles, frogs, and maybe a coveted snake. Despite G’ma’s protests, once Bryan snuck his jar of tadpoles onto the Chicago-bound plane. Obviously that was pre 9/11.

The older 3 grandchildren, Elijah, Mya, and Ayva (ages 10, 9, and 8) did, indeed, find a box turtle which they named Dribble (no clue why) and a miniature frog named Drop; no clue on that one either. They were most certain Dribble and Drop would do well in the hotel bath tub, but the parents prevailed. Dribble and Drop were relieved to sink once more into the muck and silt of Cooper Creek.

Since G’Pa Dan died December 27, 1999 he was not around to help Mary put away the Christmas decorations, a process that took about a month. So, she just decided to have a Christmas House leaving all the decorations up all year round. After the fire and her relocation to a condo, she and her decorator decided to continue the tradition of decorating the house all year round as a Christmas House.

Six sets of great grandkids’ eyes were dinner-plate wide with wonder. While the current collection of Sandy Clauses is only 80, down from 300, Ayva (age 8) won the quote of this day:

Ayva: “With all these Sandy Clauses around, kinda makes you wonder.”
Mandy: “Wonder what, Ayva?”
Ayva: “You know.”
Mandy: “That maybe G’ma is Mrs. Claus?”
Ayva: “Bingo!”

Pix to follow